NHTSA Complaint #10185966 — 2000 HONDA ACCORD

I HAD LEFT THE CAR IN A PARKING STRUCTURE. APPARENTLY I HAD LEFT THE GEAR IN REVERSE RATHER THAN IN PARK. AFTER LEAVING THE CAR WITH MY IGNITION KEY IN HAND THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL, AND SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR WHICH WAS PARKED. THE DAMAGE WAS MINIMAL, BUT COSTLY TO REPAIR ANYHOW. THERE WAS A WOMAN WITH A BABY IN A CARRIAGE WHICH WAS NARROWLY MISSED BY THE MOVING VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WITH THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER NOT IN PARK. IN FACT, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL 05V025000 FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH ALMOST 500000 CARS OF THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF MINE WERE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, MY PARTICULAR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. HONDA DISCLAIMS ANY RESPONSIBILITY SINCE MY WARRANTY HAS LONG EXPIRED AND MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THE RECALL NOTICE INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING WORDS UNDER "DEFECT CONSEQUENCE:" "IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILED TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR" THIS WAS THE EXACT SCENARIO OF THE INCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED. *AK